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Memories & Candles

“Dear Suzie, Mary Ann, and family and friends,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Robert's passing. He and I were in school together from Bert...Read More »
”
1 of 14 | Posted by: David Montgomery - Hanover, NH

“Suzie, we share your heartbreak but know that you have wonderful, loving memories of Robert as we do. Please know that we love you and are praying...Read More »
”
2 of 14 | Posted by: Harold & Brenda Ellinghouse - MO

“He was always there for me and our family. He loved Grandpa (his Uncle Tommy)and Grandma DeWitt so much. He and Dad were great friends, playing jokes...Read More »
”
3 of 14 | Posted by: Waneta Sue Trowbridge - MO

“We are real sorry we cannot attend the services on Friday. "Buzz" has been a 50+ year friend, ss has his family, from Milan High School, University...Read More »
”
4 of 14 | Posted by: Franklin and Kay Harris

“Susie, Mary Ann & families--so very sorry -- Robert will be sadly missed--he always had a good word and was glad to see you.
”
5 of 14 | Posted by: Carlene/Delmas Jacobs - Warsaw, MO

“A trip to Milan was never complete if I didn't stop by the Standard office to see the cousins and Aunt Bertha. In our extended family, "when in doubt...Read More »
”
6 of 14 | Posted by: Tom DeWitt - Tyler, TX - cousin

“Dear Suzie, I am saddened to hear of Bob's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. My sincere and heartfelt sympathy to you....Read More »
”
7 of 14 | Posted by: Patsy Crouch

“Suzie,
Honey my heart goes out to you. Robert was known all over the state of Missouri, not only for being in the publishing business, but also...Read More »
”
8 of 14 | Posted by: Pam (Steele) Jarding - MO

“Suzie, I am so sorry that your partner has been taken from you. He was such a wonderful man and I know you are going to miss him so much. Wish I...Read More »
”
10 of 14 | Posted by: Lynn Gastineau & Tracy Stewart - MO

“Robert had a incrediable mind. He knew all my close and distant family. I enjoyed the stories he would tell my children about a family member they...Read More »
”
11 of 14 | Posted by: Tammie Foster - Lake Ozark, MO

“I can't even imagine Milan without Robert Wilson ... he has dedicated his life to making his hometown the best it could be ... because he loved it...Read More »
”
12 of 14 | Posted by: Carolyn Robinson - Kansas City, MO

“Bob was a devoted newspaperman, through and through. He loved his community and his community's newspaper. Our thoughts and prayers are with Suzie...Read More »
”
13 of 14 | Posted by: Doug and Tricia Crews - Columbia, MO

“So sorry to hear about Robert's passing. He has been a "rock" in our community & will be missed terribly. The Milan Standard will never be the same...Read More »
”
14 of 14 | Posted by: Ruth & Duane Hines - Unionville, MO

Robert was born March 29, 1935 in Centerville, Iowa to Robert and Bertha (Wood) Wilson of Milan.

Bob Wilson began working for his father, Robert M. Wilson, at The Milan Standard when he was still in grade school. He hauled coal from the back room and swept out the shop and melted type to make pigs.

He is survived by his wife of the home, a sister, Mary Ann Clark and husband Charley Clark of Milan, brother-in-law, Jim Sears and wife Gina of Peoria, Arizona.

Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother, David Wilson, one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Sears.

While in High School, he participated in football, basketball, track and loved driving his Model A Touring car.

Following graduation from Milan High School, in 1953, Bob attended University of Missouri pledging the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

He graduated from the University of Missouri with a business degree in 1959. His love of the Mizzou Tigers remained with him the rest of his life.

Five years later he became partner, editor and publisher of The Milan Standard. He later became publisher of the Green City Press and Linn Co. Leader and co-publisher of the Marceline Press. He owned Wilson Publishing Company which published accounting booklets for tax records.

On November 27, 1985 he married Suzie (Sears) Welch, celebrating their 27th anniversary in 2012.

Over the years, Robert has kept up with changes in the community newspaper industry. The Milan Standard was among the first weeklies in Missouri to use offset printing and computer typesetting. He believes his paper was the first weekly in the country to earn a postage discount for putting barcodes on address labels. Years ago he and Dennis Miles created a computer program for mailing the paper.

Robert served on the board of Missouri Press Association for nearly 20 years, and he served as president in 1999. He was named to the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame in 2010. He was a lifetime member of the Missouri Alumni Association. He has been active in state, regional and national newspaper organizations for decades.

On the local level, Bob has served as President of the Milan Chamber of Commerce, President of the Milan Rotary Club where he was honored by receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship Award in June 1998 and was named 2010 Rotarian of the Year (Milan Chapter), member of the Milan Elks Club, State Historical Society Board of Trustees, United Missouri Bank Board, Secretary of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Corporation, Secretary of Modern Development Corporation Real Estate Developer, Charter member of Milan Jaycees, Past Chairman of the Milan City Planning Commission, former member of Trenton Junior College Mid-Management Advisory Board of Director and other local organizations.

He was also a District Director on the Missouri University Alumni Board for 6 years. He is an Elder in the Milan Presbyterian Church and Parish Council secretary-treasurer. He is a member of the Sullivan County Country Club and past president, a 37-year member of Country Club of Missouri in Columbia, member and secretary of Seaman Lodge A.F.& A.M., Milan, former member of Moila Shrine in St. Joseph, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at MU and a member of the SAE House Corporation. He and Ralph Hatcher started the Milan Old Timers Reunion in May of 1985.

Following church services at the United Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 14, 2013, he and Suzie went to Kansas City. Robert became ill and was taken to St. Luke's Hospital and died unexpectedly while undergoing heart tests.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19, 2013 at the Milan Methodist Church at 3:00 pm. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm. to 3:00 pm.

Inurnment will follow at a later date. Ruschmeier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Donations may be made to the Milan Presbyterian Church or the Sullivan County Country Club.

Memories & Candles

We were shocked and saddened to hear of Robert's passing. He and I were in school together from Bert Faulkner's kindergarten, Mrs. Sevier's first grade, on through high school. I cannot remember a time when I did not know him; and sometimes, we were the only two members of our Sunday School class in the Presbyterian Church.

Robert's affection for Milan was strong and deep. Sometimes it seemed as if he knew everybody who

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Dear Suzie, Mary Ann, and family and friends,

We were shocked and saddened to hear of Robert's passing. He and I were in school together from Bert Faulkner's kindergarten, Mrs. Sevier's first grade, on through high school. I cannot remember a time when I did not know him; and sometimes, we were the only two members of our Sunday School class in the Presbyterian Church.

Robert's affection for Milan was strong and deep. Sometimes it seemed as if he knew everybody who had anything to do with Milan and the surrounding County from the late 1930s on to the present. We will surely miss stopping by the Standard Office to see him and come up to date. We are sorry, so very sorry, that he has gone and we hope for nothing but the best for those he leaves behind.

Suzie, we share your heartbreak but know that you have wonderful, loving memories of Robert as we do. Please know that we love you and are praying that our Lord will continue to give you the comfort and strength that you need now and in the days ahead.
Love, Harold & Brenda

He was always there for me and our family. He loved Grandpa (his Uncle Tommy)and Grandma DeWitt so much. He and Dad were great friends, playing jokes and golfing together. He came to the family funerals, visited them in the hospitals when others of us were out of town etc. How sad! Waneta Sue Downing Trowbridge

We are real sorry we cannot attend the services on Friday. "Buzz" has been a 50+ year friend, ss has his family, from Milan High School, University of Missouri and the years since. He will be missed and we will miss seeing him on our occasional trips to the Milan area.

Posted by: Franklin and Kay Harris - long time friend Apr 17, 2013

Susie, Mary Ann & families--so very sorry -- Robert will be sadly missed--he always had a good word and was glad to see you.

Posted by: Carlene/Delmas Jacobs - Warsaw, MO - friend Apr 17, 2013

A trip to Milan was never complete if I didn't stop by the Standard office to see the cousins and Aunt Bertha. In our extended family, "when in doubt, put Aunt or Uncle in front of their first name and you won't be far off!" Bob was one of my childhood heros as he and David dashed in and out of KC as two of Missouri's most eligible bachelors! He truly was the voice for Milan and maybe for all

... more

A trip to Milan was never complete if I didn't stop by the Standard office to see the cousins and Aunt Bertha. In our extended family, "when in doubt, put Aunt or Uncle in front of their first name and you won't be far off!" Bob was one of my childhood heros as he and David dashed in and out of KC as two of Missouri's most eligible bachelors! He truly was the voice for Milan and maybe for all the small communities in rural Missouri. Suzie, know that Bob really did live Rotary's "Service Above Self" moto. Mom and all of the DeWitt clan will hold you and Mary Ann in our hearts and prayers this week.

Posted by: Tom DeWitt - Tyler, TX - cousin Apr 17, 2013

Dear Suzie, I am saddened to hear of Bob's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. My sincere and heartfelt sympathy to you. Much love & Blessings, Patsy Crouch+

Posted by: Patsy Crouch - Longtime friend since college. Apr 17, 2013

Suzie,

Honey my heart goes out to you. Robert was known all over the state of Missouri, not only for being in the publishing business, but also for his various involvements on a local, and state level.

Missouri has also lost a very avid MU Tiger fan.

Suzie, please know that we share in your sadness during this time, but will also be lifting you up in our support and love.

Suzie, I am so sorry that your partner has been taken from you. He was such a wonderful man and I know you are going to miss him so much. Wish I could be there to give you a hug. Prayers and hugs to you during this time.

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